The Fifth Vertex by Kevin Hoffman

A Brief Summary: On what was to be the worst day of his young life Ursa's world gets turned on its head. Being branded a culled, a non-warrior in Kest is akin to a death sentence, and that is Ursa's fate. He has failed the gauntlet, he decides to take his own life rather than to bear the shame of the mark of the culled. However this attempt wakens an ancient power within him, that may be exactly what is needed to save his world from an ancient evil that threatens to destroy the Vertices, and with them the barriers between the worlds.

My Review:
Loved this book, I loved it so much. From Ursa being a gentle giant, to Ciliax being a good, but slightly power hungry blood mage, to Goodwyn being the master fighter with a secret all his own. A brand new epic fantasy series that will draw readers young and old.

Honestly I didn't read the blurb well enough to know that Ursa was deaf from the beginning. It took awhile to figure out because it isn't a huge deal. The author chose to make it just a part of Ursa rather then define him with it, a choice that I really appreciate.

I also enjoy how you learn a lot about a couple of different cultures from the Kest, where Ursa and Goodwyn are from, to the Beine, a dwarf-like race. The author condenses a lot of traditions and history of these regions into a side part of a wonderful book.

The next book in this series can't be released soon enough, I want to know what happens next.

I recieved this book from NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

The Tinkerer's Daughter by Jamie Sedgwick

Breeze is a half-breed, half human and half Tal'mar (the equivalent of an elf). A half breed is something that is unheard of, due to the fact that humans and the Tal'mar have been at war for a thousand years. When her father is recalled to war she is left to live with the Tinker. A man who makes the most marvelous inventions, he's also the only one who doesn't judge Breeze automatically for her heritage. With the help of one of his creations she discovers something that will change her world. The only question is, will she have enough time to save it?

This was a captivating story. Even more so when you remember Breeze is only four at the beginning of the story. I know, t hard to believe but the Tal'mar mature quickly. She is a protagonist that you can fall in love with. Her only goal is to be accepted and to get people to look at her for who she is, instead of what.

Things do seem a bit too fast, after all they create brand-new physics defying technology in a few months.

However I really did like this book, it's a good read and I really hope to find the time to read the rest of the series.